Nigeria’s men’s U-19 cricket team, known as the Junior Yellow Greens, has secured its place in Division 1 of the African Qualifiers for the 2026 ICC U-19 World Cup, to be held in Zimbabwe and Namibia. The team’s promotion comes on the heels of a decisive victory over Rwanda in the third-place playoff of the Division 2 qualifiers.
In a standout performance on Sunday in Tanzania, Nigeria overcame Rwanda by seven wickets. Rwanda, batting first, struggled against Nigeria’s formidable bowling attack. The Rwandans were dismissed for a modest total of 45 runs in 23.4 overs. Captain Gafar Kareem led the charge with an exceptional bowling performance, taking four wickets for just eight runs in his 5.4-over spell.
Nigeria’s chase of 46 runs was efficient and swift. The Junior Yellow Greens reached their target in just 12.3 overs, losing only three wickets in the process. This commanding victory not only secured Nigeria’s third-place finish but also set the stage for their return to Division 1 of the qualifiers, alongside Sierra Leone and hosts Tanzania.
The Junior Yellow Greens’ journey through the tournament was marked by notable highs and lows. They faced a challenging semi-final against Sierra Leone, which ended in a disappointing nine-wicket loss. Despite this setback, the team’s performance throughout the qualifiers was impressive, particularly highlighted by their record-setting win over Mozambique. In that match, played last Sunday at the Gymkhana Ground, Nigeria posted the highest tournament total with 362 runs for the loss of eight wickets in their allotted 50 overs.
This record-setting match against Mozambique showcased the Junior Yellow Greens’ batting prowess and set a high benchmark for the competition. The team’s robust performances, especially their final match victory, have earned them a coveted spot in Division 1, where they will compete for a place in the ICC U-19 World Cup.
